by Rachel Aukes
“But you don’t want me take it,” Throttle said.
“Of course I don’t. I hope you know the Gryphon is yours if you want it.”
“I thought I was going to get the Gryphon,” Sixx chimed in.
Throttle smiled at Sixx before turning her attention back to Reyne. “You have to trust me to make the right choice. This is not a decision I’m going to make lightly.”
Throttle and Bree shared a look, and then Throttle spoke. “There’s a couple of other things I want to talk with you guys about.”
A couple of other things. Reyne looked at the woman and child, and suspected he knew exactly where Throttle was leading him.
“I’ll cut straight to the chase. I’d like to recommend Bree to join the crew.”
Reyne looked at Bree and back to Throttle. “We’re not in the charity business. Every crewmember plays a specific role.”
“Bree is a jack-of-all-trades,” Throttle said. “Really, you should’ve seen how she handled things on the Chital.”
“Sorry, darling,” Sixx said. “But I’m the jack-of-all-trades on this crew.”
Bree lifted her chin. “I also am pretty good with first aid.” After a second, she shrugged. “Medical skills were a necessity taking care of people who worked under a Wintsel. I’ve seen more cuts and broken bones in a year than you’ve seen in your life.”
“I’m not sure about that,” Reyne said.
“Not sure about giving Bree a chance, or about seeing more cuts and broken bones than you’ve seen in your life?” Throttle asked.
“Both,” Reyne said.
“At least think on it,” Throttle said. “I got to know Bree and Lily really well on the flight here. And I know Bree would fit in great on the Gryphon.”
“And you want Lily to come on board, too,” Reyne said as a matter of fact.
“You brought me on board when I was less than half her age. Lily is smart, and not afraid of anything.”
“And she’s another mouth to feed,” Reyne said. “Not to mention the Gryphon is still an active torrent ship that could find itself in a battle at any moment.”
“It wouldn’t be any worse than what she’s seen already,” Bree said.
“Then she’s likely traumatized and needs professional help,” Reyne countered.
“She’s coming with us,” Sixx said.
Reyne turned to Sixx “What did you say?”
“She’s coming with us.” He took a deep, calming breath. “I know Qelle would want me to take care of her like she was my own, and that’s damn well what I’m going to do.”
Reyne threw his hands out, knowing when he was defeated, but also not feeling entirely bad about it. “I’ve raised one daughter on that ship. Sure, why not yours?” He turned to Boden. “Are you going to bring one next?”
Boden held up his hands in surrender and shook his head.
“Then it’s settled,” Reyne said in a calmer voice. “Bree, you’re on the crew.” When she smiled, he held up a finger. “On a probationary basis. And Lily…”
He noticed the little girl was awake and now watching him. He found himself smiling at her. “Welcome to the crew.”
After another restless night, this time worrying about what decision Throttle would make, Reyne was up at dawn and waiting for his crew. He didn’t prep the Gryphon. Instead, he waited until Throttle emerged from her room.
When Birk followed, Reyne’s heart plummeted.
She saw him and turned back to Birk. “You head down. I’ll catch up.”
He kissed her, and Reyne decided he’d let Boden at the scrawny kid.
Reyne scowled at Birk as he walked down the hall, whistling. He turned back to Throttle. “He’s a pirate,” he grumbled as he walked alongside her.
“He makes me laugh,” she said.
Reyne swallowed. “You made your choice.”
“I did.”
He found a lump in his throat. “I can’t fly without you.”
“You’re a good pilot,” she said.
“Not as good as you. And that’s not what I meant.”
She sighed. “I know.” She stopped pushing her chair forward. “I have to do this. I don’t know how to explain it, but everything up here”—she waved a hand by her head—“is jumbled right now. I need different scenery until I get it worked out. I know that doesn’t make any sense.”
“It does,” he said. “After the Uprising, I was in a dark place. I couldn’t go back to where I I’d been before because I’d become a different person. I felt lost. That’s when I decided to become a fringe runner. Not for the paycheck. I did it so I could get away from everyone and everything I knew before.”
“Yeah,” she said so softly he barely heard the word.
He knelt. “I don’t want you to go. Believe me, if I could get you to stay and still live with myself afterward, I would. But that’s me being selfish, and that wouldn’t be fair to you. I know this is something you’ve got to do, so I won’t stop you. But if you ever change your mind, or if you ever just need me, you know you’re never alone. No matter how far you fly or what you do, I’ll always be there. You know that, right?”
Her eyes shone with wetness. “Yeah. I know.”
They hugged, this time even longer than when they’d found each other at the docks yesterday. When Reyne pulled back, he sucked in a deep breath. “So, when do you head off in the Scorpia?”
She hastily wiped a tear from her cheek. “Not for a couple weeks, at least. Remember when I popped down to Broken Mountain, not long after the Citadel was freed?”
“Of course.”
She shrugged. “Well, Critch made an offer to me during that time. He offered to pay for surgery to repair my spine. All I had to do was sign up for his crew.” She shrugged. “Flying the Scorpia counts.” She grinned. “Guess he got screwed on that deal, huh.”
Reyne shook his head and smiled. “Nah.”
The pair headed down to the dock where Sixx, Boden, Bree, and Lily were already waiting.
Boden smiled. “You’re coming with us.”
Throttle winced. “No. I’m staying.”
Boden’s face fell before he collected his emotions and forced a small nod.
Bree came over, bent down, and hugged Throttle. “Thank you.”
Lily stared at Throttle with a look like she was on the verge of tears. “You’re not coming?”
“No, honey. I have to stay here to have my legs fixed.”
Lily ran and jumped onto Throttle’s lap. “Will your legs work the next time I see you? They won’t hurt anymore?”
Throttle nodded. “We’ll dance when I see you again.”
Lily buried her face in Throttle’s neck, and they hugged. When Throttle tickled her, she laughed and jumped off.
“I’ll send you a message every day,” Lily said. “You better call.”
Throttle lifted her left arm. “As soon as I get a new wrist comm, I’ll call you all the time.”
Lily giggled, and then nestled against Bree.
Sixx came over. “I can’t believe you’re ditching us for a pirate.”
She shrugged. “It’s a step up from flying with a professional thief.”
He smiled and rubbed her head.
Throttle’s face grew serious when she looked at Lily, and she spoke in a low voice. “Axos will never stop searching for Lily.”
“Let him come,” Sixx answered with nonchalance. A dark smile crept up his face. “I can promise you that he won’t be in one piece when I’m finished with him.”
Reyne chimed in. “If he comes after us, it saves us the time having to hunt him down.”
She looked at him, confused.
Sixx grinned. “We’re going after Axos, kiddo. We should have a good head start by the time you and Loverboy leave Terra.”
Her lax jaw closed, and she pursed her lips. “You better leave some of that Myrad vig for me to finish off.”
Reyne eyed Sixx and nodded to the Gryphon. Sixx squeezed Throttle’s shoulder. �
��See you soon, sis.”
As Sixx headed to the ship, Reyne focused on Throttle. “Watch yourself around here. Mason’s still out there, and he holds a pretty big grudge against Seda and Critch. Who knows what he’ll try next.”
“I’ll be careful,” she said.
“When you get tired of Birk, you know there’s always a pilot seat on the Gryphon.”
“I know, Dad.” She pulled him down to her, hugged him, and kissed his cheek.
When he came back to full height, he soaked in her face, never wanting to forget that moment.
“It’s okay. You’ll see me again soon.”
He shrugged. “It’s an awfully big universe.”
She smiled. “But it’s a small galaxy.”
Coming in 2018
Fringe War
Book 4 in the Fringe Series
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The Collective
The Collective is comprised of six terraformed planets in nearby solar systems within the Milky Way galaxy. The Collective is controlled by the dual leadership of Alluvia and Myr. Only those born on Alluvia and Myr are given legal status as citizens, while all others are considered colonists and receive fewer privileges. The Collective views colonists as means to achieve gain, and their pressure is driving the colonies—the fringe—to desperate actions.
MYR is a silver-rich, water-rich citizen world with idyllic islands. Myr was the first settled planet in the Collective. Myrads have argyria and take great pride in their blue-hued skin.
ALLUVIA is a water-covered citizen world and home to First City, the Collective’s largest city. Alluvia was the second settled planet in the Collective, and has the highest gravity of all Collective worlds. Alluvia has thick cloud cover and frequent storms.
DARIOS is the most naturally habitable world and provides much of the Collective’s food supply. As such, it’s heavily regulated by the Collective. Its fringe station is Sol Base, which had been hit by the blight. Since then, the CUF has maintained a chokehold on Sol Base.
PLAYA is the furthest world from Alluvia and Myr. It has low gravity and freezing temperatures. Its fringe station is Ice Port, which was destroyed by the CUF. The Collective believes Playa to no longer be of value, now that its fringe station was destroyed. Unknown to the CUF, the torrent headquarters is here, located at Tulan Base, which has its own space dock.
SPATE is a desert-like world and has the largest fringe station, Devil Town, known for its massive indoor garden. Without a stationmaster, it is seen as neutral territory.
TERRA is a battle-scarred world, where much of the Fringe Liberation Campaign now takes place. Its fringe station is Rebus Station. Terra, the planet nearest to Alluvia and Myr, stands between the citizen worlds and Darios, making it a key planet in the Campaign. The torrent headquarters on Terra are located within Seda Faulk’s secret retreat and space dock.
SPACE COAST is an asteroid belt outside Collective control and home to smugglers, pirates, and other outlaws. Its fringe station is Nova Colony. The CUF initiated a blockade when the Fringe Liberation Campaign began.
Glossary of Terms
ABYSS: Term used to describe people and ships lost in space, presumed or known dead.
CHIMESUIT: Blue, armored space suit worn by dromadiers. Named for the chime-like sounds the suit emits.
CITIZEN: Free person born on Alluvia or Myr.
COLONIST aka Fringe: General population in the fringe. Considered impure and lesser by many citizens.
COMM: References communications sent/received, as well as personal communication devices.
CUF: Collective Unified Forces (CUF). The Collective’s military led by Corps General Michel Ausyar.
DRIFT: Slang term, meaning to die or to kill. E.g., “I drifted him with a single shot to the head.”
DROMADIER: Soldier in the Collective Unified Forces.
EM FIELD: Short for Electro Magnetic Field. On-ship technology to produce artificial gravity.
EMP: Short for Electro Magnetic Pulse. Weapon employed by the CUF to disable ships.
EVERSEA: A term referencing the space frontier. An Eden.
FOUNDERS: Secret organization of citizens and colonists who steer the Collective’s actions using ulterior methods. Believed to have gone defunct after the War.
FRINGE: Refers to the tributary planets and colonists under Collective control (Darios, Playa, Spate, and Terra), as well as the Space Coast.
FRINGE LIBERATION CAMPAIGN: The official term for the war taking place between the colonies and the citizen worlds.
FRINGE STATION: A trading outpost with space docks. Located in the planet’s largest colony.
JUMP SPEED: fastest speed at which ships currently travel. Requires jump shields to protect crews from hydrogen radiation poisoning from high, faster-than-light speeds.
LOGGER: Waterlogged “puffy” person addicted to seasoned water, i.e. water seasoned with sweet soy.
PIRATE: Outlaw who raids ships and smuggles contraband.
REBUS RECLAMATION EFFORT: The initiative, led by Seda Faulk, to force the CUF from Rebus Station.
RILON: Extremely durable yet flexible metal used on most hulls, weapons, and tools.
RUNNER: Interstellar postman and transporter. Fringe runners commonly smuggle blue tea or sweet soy.
SCALAR: References dark matter or space.
SOLAR SAILS: Large flexible sails on ships used for long-haul space travel.
SPECTERS: Elite torrent space fleet. Many specters were pirate ships prior to the Campaign.
STAR SWARM: Tsunami of space garbage/debris pulled into an asteroid’s gravitational pull.
STRETCH: Playan colonist with low-g mutations. Extremely tall, with respiratory and heart defects.
SWEET SOY: Highly addictive drug, often mixed with water.
TENURED: Indentured servant. Tenured are often tricked into servitude.
TORRENT: Colonist rebel who fought in the Uprising twenty years before the Fringe Series takes place.
UPRISING: A revolt by the fringe colonists against citizens of Alluvia and Myr for equal rights.
VIG: Derogatory term, referring to a small, smelly rodent found on Spate.
VOICELESS: Tenured who have had their vocal cords destroyed because they broke laws or attempted to escape servitude.
The WAR: War between Alluvia and Myr. The War ended with a truce and the creation of the Collective, as well as initiating the push for colonizing other worlds for resources.
WOMBIE: Mutated, slow-moving Spaten colonists who have developed a camel-like ability to store water. Have extremely low IQs.
Also by Rachel Aukes
Fringe Series
Fringe Runner
Fringe Station
Fringe Campaign
The Deadland Saga
100 Days in Deadland
Deadland’s Harvest
Deadland Rising
Colliding Worlds Trilogy
(Writing as Berinn Rae)
Collision
Implosion
Explosion
About the Author
Rachel Aukes is the award-winning author of 100 Days in Deadland, which made Suspense Magazine’s Best of the Year list. She is also a Wattpad Star, her stories having over five million reads. When not writing, she can be found flying old airplanes across the Midwest countryside and catering to an exceptionally spoiled forty-pound laptop.
Learn more at www.RachelAukes.com.
To be notified of new releases, sign up for Rachel’s email list.
Acknowledgements
With extreme thanks to my editors, Stephanie Riva and Laurel Kriegler, for helping bring this story to life. This book would have never seen the light of day without you. And, thank you to Walter Scott for the generosity and early feedback. Also, huge thanks to my husband for the support, even when (especially when) he gets pulled into a brainstorming session on the many ways to kill someone in space. Most of all, tha
nk you, my readers, for your messages, cheers, and enthusiasm.
Contact
I love hearing from readers! You can find me online at www.RachelAukes.com or email me at [email protected].